Warren Wilson vs. WSSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC with Winston Salem State University in Winston-Salem, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Winston Salem State University is larger than Warren Wilson based on total student enrollment (4,782 students vs. 791 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Warren Wilson College is located in Swannanoa, NC (Midsize Suburban setting); Winston Salem State University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Warren Wilson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Winston Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Warren Wilson College 12:1; Winston Salem State University 15:1.

Warren Wilson vs. WSSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Warren Wilson or WSSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Winston Salem State University than Warren Wilson ($12,989 vs. $26,084).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winston Salem State University are 12% lower than at Warren Wilson College ($11,484 vs. $13,050).
• Warren Wilson College is 577.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSSU (about $35,374 more per year; $41,500.00 vs. $6,126.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 147.3% higher at Warren Wilson than at Winston Salem State University (about $24,718 more per year; $41,500.00 vs. $16,782.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Warren Wilson College than at Winston Salem State University (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Warren Wilson College students is 207.1% larger than aid received by Winston Salem State University students ($30,887 vs. $10,057).

Warren Wilson vs. WSSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Warren Wilson or WSSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between WSSU and Warren Wilson.

• Incoming Warren Wilson students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 17 at WSSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWinston Salem State University 830/1020.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Warren Wilson College 21/29; Winston Salem State University 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Warren Wilson - Test optional; WSSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Warren Wilson Jul 3, 2027; WSSU Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Warren Wilson students have a 0.59 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at WSSU (3.01).
• WSSU has a higher acceptance rate (78.3%) than Warren Wilson (71.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at Warren Wilson vs. 13.1% at WSSU.

Warren Wilson vs. WSSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Warren Wilson and WSSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Warren Wilson College's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than Winston Salem State University's (41%).
• Graduates from Winston Salem State University earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than Warren Wilson graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,700 vs. $30,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Warren Wilson College graduates have a $2,663 lower median loan debt than WSSU graduates ($23,000 vs. $25,663).
• Among borrowers, Warren Wilson graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WSSU graduates ($237 vs. $265).
• More Warren Wilson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSSU students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 33%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.